Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention (아시아태평양암예방학회)
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Clofarabine in the Treatment of Elderly Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

  • Aleem, Aamer (Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, College of Medicine and King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University) ;
  • Anjum, Farhan (Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, College of Medicine and King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University) ;
  • Algahtani, Farjah (Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, College of Medicine and King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University) ;
  • Iqbal, Zafar (Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University of Health Sciences) ;
  • Alsaleh, Khalid (Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, College of Medicine and King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University) ;
  • AlMomen, Abdulkareem (Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University of Health Sciences)
  • Published : 2013.02.28
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Abstract

Background: Elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have a poor outcome because of co-morbidities, poor tolerance to intensive chemotherapy and inherently more resistant disease. Clofarabine is a second generation nucleoside analogue which has shown promising activity in elderly patients with AML. This study was conducted to review the outcome of treatment with clofarabine in a group of such patients. Methods: The records of 5 elderly patients who were diagnosed to have AML and treated with clofarabine over a 12 month period were reviewed retrospectively. Results: There were 2 female and 3 male patients with a median age of 68 years (range 65-82). At the time of treatment, 2 patients had newly diagnosed AML not considered suitable for intensive therapy, while 3 patients had partial or no response to conventional chemotherapy. The overall response rate was 100%, all patients achieving a complete remission. Induction and consolidation were well tolerated. All patients developed neutropenia with a median duration of 20 days (range 17-42). One patient developed hand and foot syndrome and a generalized rash but recovered. There was no mortality and all patients remained in remission after a median follow-up of 5.2 months (Range 3-10). Conclusion: Clofarabine (alone or in combination) is active in elderly AML patients with an acceptable safety profile and should be considered a potential option in this group.

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References

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